Erica + Rio: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

The day of Erica and Rio’s session was BRIGHT and SUNNY. This might sound like a strange thing to say if you’re not from Pittsburgh, but if you’re a Pittsburgher heading into December, you know that we don’t get very many non-gray days once winter hits! In fact, I read a statistic that said we have about 306 cloudy days a year, which means about 84% of our year is cloudy (via this source). To give some perspective - Seattle only beats us by two days. TWO days!

So when the sun came out towards the end of November for Erica and Rio’s session, I was FLOORED! These two came all the way up from Virginia, so I was so thankful they had a beautiful day for their engagement session!

Erica and Rio are goofy and in love, and are both teachers in Virginia! They met at freshman orientation at Clarion University and started dating in December of 2013, and Rio popped the question this past April on the golf course Erica grew up playing on.

It was such an honor to photograph this incredibly fun couple, and I cannot wait for their wedding in 2020! 🎉

Valerie + Matt: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

Hartwood in the fall... I'm not sure it gets much better, except for maybe pairing it with Valerie and Matt! These two met at Robert Morris University (my alma mater!), but didn't start dating until they reconnected a few years later! Both are graphic designers, love tacos, and are just all around wonderful, easy going people. So thankful to know you both, Valerie and Matt!

PS - Valerie's engagement ring is emerald and an heirloom from Matt's family! 💍

Megan + Richard: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

These two amaze me, and I am SO thankful I was able to spend a Saturday evening getting to know them at Hartwood Acres while taking their engagement photos! But why the amazement, you might ask? Megan and Richard are planning a wedding while being on TWO different CONTINENTS!

Richard is from Wales, and Megan is from Pittsburgh. They met in an online chat room for the Paramore Fan Club years ago, and even though they’re technically already married, they are planning a big ceremony and celebration to celebrate with their friends and family here in the states! Richard is still in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, so they’ve had to do much of their planning long distance, which gives me the utmost respect for them. Wedding planning is hard enough when you’re living in the same city, but living with an ocean between you?! Seriously!

They got engaged at Highclere Castle in the UK (which is where Downton Abby was filmed for any super fans out there!), which is why they settled on Hartwood Acres Mansion for their session - as a little nod to where Richard proposed!

I also had the pleasure of meeting their adorable pups, who we incorporated into a few of their engagement photos! Megan’s maid of honor was the real MVP of the shoot who watched the dogs between their turn in front of the camera (thanks, Megan! ☺️)

So excited to be a part of your wedding day, Megan & Richard! 💛

Sarah + Mike: Hartwood Acres Engagement Photos

It was SO hot and humid the morning we photographed Sarah and Mike's engagement session. I've only ever had my camera and lenses fog up from cold weather (read about our coldest shoot ever, in 5 degree weather here!), never from hot humid weather - but that day, the moment I pulled my equipment out to shoot - my gear immediately fogged up! We fought the humidity the entire session, and Sarah and Mike were such incredible troopers! They had no problem getting close (even in the heat) and were total pros in front of the camera. I love when couples aren't afraid to get close and even improvise - and these two did both things so well!

Check out a few favorites from their Hartwood Acres engagement session below!